Do you believe in life (science) after Brexit?

UK and European readers will be well aware of the political rollercoaster on which Britain has been travelling since the EU referendum. For our US readers, I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that over recent weeks the political landscape has changed almost daily and with dramatic effect.

At the time of writing we not only have a new prime minster in the UK but we have also been told that country’s minister for life sciences, George Freeman, has been moved from his post. It is unclear, but it seems that his role won’t be filled by another politician.

It’s a puzzling decision. The UK has very little world-class expertise yet its life science sector is a global success and held in high regard. The sector adds £60 billion to the UK economy each year employing 220,000 people. In a recent statement discussing the sector’s new relationship with the EU following the referendum, and the UK’s commitment to the life science sector, Freeman highlighted how life sciences were “of critical importance to the economy” and that following Brexit, “neither the UK’s commitment to the life science sector nor our legal relationship with Europe have in any way changed, and that it is likely that some time will elapse before any changes to the latter are agreed”.

Given this commitment, the success of the sector and the fact that Freemen was pivotal in the creation of the UK’s 10 year Life Science Strategy back in 2011, the removal of the position is disappointing.

Not only in the UK but globally, the life science community is a success story. At a time of global turmoil – politically and economically – collaboration between organisations working to improve healthcare outcomes for international communities is to be celebrated. The contribution that sector makes to the global economy is not to be sniffed at either. According to a report by Visiongain, the global medical device market will reach $398.0bn in 2017 with strong growth predicted until 2023. It adds that the medical devices industry is likely to witness significant growth opportunities over the next ten years with market expansion being driven by the introduction of innovative devices to the market along with increased demand from an ageing population.

In the UK alone, this week we heard of a £60 million partnership between business, healthcare and academic in the North West that will lead to £100 million worth of growth and 750 jobs for the life science sector. Science parks in the UK have grown at a considerable rate over recent years – according to AMA Research between 1982 and 2014 these have increased from two to 104 in the UK, highlighting the need for expertise and collaboration at a high level.

Despite the uncertainty of individual political events – past and yet to come – it’s clear that the medtech sector has a positive effect on a global scale, contributing significantly to the world-wide economy. While the new UK government may feel that a dedicated minister for the sector is an extravagance – we have yet to see – the dedication of those working in this field both in the UK and internationally, cannot be under estimated.